The only negative point I could find for the design is Razer's claims of an anti-fingerprint coating on the Blade 18.
Multi-Gig networking makes sense - another thoughtful inclusion from Razer. Especially when all the games I wanted to test on this beast were gigantic, usually breaking above 100GB installations.
Plenty of skinnier models do away with LAN options, so connecting directly to my router for the fastest game downloads is something to appreciate. Pointing out an RJ45 Ethernet port might seem silly on such a chunky gaming laptop, but it's notable on the Blade 18 for supporting 2.5Gb speeds. (Image credit: Ben Wilson | Windows Central) An HDMI 2.1 port offers the most straightforward method for connecting an external screen, which is nice for those with ancient monitors lacking modern luxuries, like me.Īll three USB-A ports are 3.2 Gen 2 to save on guesswork when you need the fastest speeds. Both still support dGPU DisplayPort 1.4 video output, so genuine functionality is hardly nerfed by this minor distinction. The only real standout difference for the I/O is that while there are 2x USB-C ports, only one supports Thunderbolt 4 power delivery for an alternative 20V charging source up to 100W. Gaming laptops I've previously owned came with a permanent mental note to remember which USB port I needed for a mouse dongle and which alternative offered any actual speed - a big win for Razer, who still color their ports a quirky bright green. (Image credit: Ben Wilson | Windows Central)Įxamining the ports brings relief as all three USB-A ports are 3.2 Gen 2, saving the need to look up any documentation when connecting external storage to the fastest port. Supporting external monitors through HDMI and Thunderbolt USB-C is a blessing for gamers. If you notice the Blade 18's weight in the specifications, you'll understand why it's easy to open the lid with a single finger (or thumb, it's heavy.) Coming in at just over 3kg, there's enough heft to keep this beast planted on your desk while you open it up and see precisely how gigantic it is. The iconic green logo illuminates from the top panel, one of those classic Razer RGB elements you'll never see yourself, but I can't deny it looks fantastic.
You won't fool anyone into thinking this is a boring productivity machine, but the Blade 18 could look sleek and understated if you removed the extra brand stickers. There are dead giveaways besides the prominent three-headed serpent, like the brand's favorite font used for the built-in RGB keyboard. (Image credit: Ben Wilson | Windows Central)įor such a high-end laptop, it's refreshing to see Razer carry its subtle design philosophy over to this latest Blade variant. The keyboard might look small out of the box, but the Blade 18 is simply that big.
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